Los Angeles Lakers: 4 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

1. Luol Deng

If the Lakers are going to make any trades during the season, they should have one goal in mind; ridding themselves of Luol Deng and his albatross contract.

Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka were dealt a tough hand when they took over the job. There wasn’t much salary flexibility given short-sighted moves by the previous regime of Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss. Timofey Mozgov and Deng received ludicrous contracts in free agency.

They worked their magic moving Mozgov, and now it is time to do the same with Deng. To move Deng, the Lakers had to attach D’Angelo Russell as part of the package. However, they received the draft pick that turned into Kyle Kuzma and the expiring deal of Brook Lopez, a win for Los Angeles.

To part with Deng, assets would probably have to be used again. However, packaging Deng to match salaries could be an ideal route. If the Lakers are going for a game-changing player, they would have to attach assets anyway. Why not kill two birds with one stone, adding a star player while also clearing Deng’s deal?

It is easier said than done. Johnson and Pelinka have been working to move Deng but to no avail. If they are unable to swing a big trade, they could look to a salary dump type of deal. It is one that we have seen used plenty of times, as the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks have been popular destinations.

If the Lakers are willing to add an asset, such as a future first-round pick or someone such as Wagner, they could find a team willing to take Deng off their hands.